Once again a proposal to merge black and white colleges in the same town as a way to save money has been put forward. And once again, so-called black leaders object.

Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Seth Harp (R-Midland) made the proposal recently. His specific proposal was to merge Armstrong State University and Savannah State University in Savannah. Savannah State is a traditionally black school, and Armstrong State was originally founded as an all-white school. Both are owned and operated by the State of Georgia. Historically black Albany State, and white-majority two-year Darton College in Albany were included in his recommendation.

Senator Harp’s purpose in making the proposal is to save money. And in the present economic downturn, saving money is very important. He points out that by merging these institutions, the state will save thousands of dollars by eliminating duplication of services and management. He is right. But there are even more important reasons why this step ought to be taken.

I have long argued that you cannot end racism within one group while promoting it in the other. But that is exactly what we do. Apparently, some people think that racism among whites is evil, but when blacks do it, it is an effort to preserve “black” culture. It simply does not work that way.

Let’s face it. Any program that is based on the color of your skin, regardless of which color you choose, is a racist program. The Black Congressional Caucus, of which President Elect Barack Obama was a member, is a racist organization. The United Negro College Fund is racist by its very title. Simply put, when you see the words Black or Negro in a title, change those words to white and see how it sounds. If it is racist when you include white, it is racist when you include the word black. And I repeat what I have said many times, a racist is a racist no matter the color of the racist. And maintaining “historically black” colleges is a racist program.
It is simply wrong for the state of Georgia to spend taxpayers money on the maintenance of segregated schools. The courts have ruled, and the people generally agree that segregation is improper. The fact that we still have segregated schools in Georgia is simply unacceptable. The fact that these schools that separate black and white students is promoted and defended by black legislators and academics does not make it any more proper.

If black students insist on attending segregated black schools, they are free to enroll in any of the several private black colleges in Georgia. Morehouse and Morris Brown in Atlanta are examples of private black colleges.

I think that these so called black leaders need to be promoting high levels of education at all school levels so that children who happen to have dark skin are prepared to function equally well in all of our state colleges as those with lighter skin. Suggesting that black students need special schools in order to achieve should be considered an insult to the black race.

Martin Luther King’s dream will be realized only when students are students, and no one notices the color of their skin. But we will never achieve that dream with segregated colleges like Albany State and Savannah State. It is long past time we eliminated segregation from our state college system.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/

You're a very brave man to speak the TRUTH when you know how unpopular it is. You will be called a racist, accused of being "anti-black", etc...for telling it like it is. At best, what you have said will fall on deaf ears, at worse you will become the target of the very people who continue to promote racist agendas such as segregated schools.

Doctor King's dream was for ALL to be treated EQUAL, with no regard for color of ones skin, but it has continued to be twisted and perverted by "black leaders" who have done exactly as you've said: make it ok to be racist if you are black, but not ok if you are white.

I don't judge someone by their facial features or color of their hair or the color of their skin, but rather on how they treat others and how they act. If only it were so with everyone.

I have a dream...where ALL of God's children, black or white or pink or brown or tan or yellow or what ever, are truly valued as equals, and who behave as equals. But it will never be anything but a dream because of arrogant, self-absorbed false "leaders" with their own agendas and fearmongers who refuse to admit that someone else may be "as good as" they are.

Aman, I'm not racist by no means but it has always upset me when I see a commercial on TV promoting Black this or Black that. The reason it upset me is because if it were White this or White that it would have never been aired at all because that would be racist.

Whats sad with all these comments and the authors article is that the school is "Historically" black. Meaning it was founded as such. White people can Choose to go there just as anyone can apply. Just the fact that is Historically black won't change. So tax payers are paying for a school, that white people choose not to go to so then its a problem. UGA, Auburn and all the other Predominently White schools, will always be just that. And History will always show they are Historically White. So to target those schools cause Whites CHOOSE not to go there is not the schools fault, just as now a days a Black does not have to CHOOSE a historically white school. If you don't like it, apply there. If not stop crying.

Seriously, this article is very stupid. Do you do any research before you write? There are historically black colleges that actually have a majority of WHITE students. West Virginia State University in West Virginia is one. Lincoln University in Missouri is another. They even offer scholarships to white students to attend! If you have a problem with United Negro College Fund, which has been in existance when Negro was used, by the way,then ask them to change their name. They also donate scholarships for hispanics and asian students too, not just blacks.

But no, that wouldn't fit with your theme of a poor, oppressed white man. Please don't use Dr. King's words in your hateful tirade. You turn them into poison.

I find it interesting that those who oppose segregated schools say that those are for it are racist, while those who are for it say that those who against it are racist. You both accuse the other of acting like a poor, oppressed black man or a poor, oppressed white man. And you both say the other is hateful, and corrupting MLK's message. In my opinion, you both seem exactly the same to me, mortal men and women using ethos, pathos, and logos to push your side of an argument. I'm not criticizing you all, rather I applaud you efforts to outfox the other in a never ending game of "I'm the good guy you're the bad guy". Don't you see your argument is the same immutable conflict which divides Catholics and Protestants, Sunnis and Shiites, cat lovers and dog lovers. In the end, neither of you are right or wrong, you just are. Then again, what do I know. I'm just an Anonymous voice (or text?) on the Internet. Who cares what a nihilistic pretentious Nietzsche wannabe has to say. Anyway, keep arguing. I'm sure it makes both of you feel so intelligent compared to the other.

I disagree with this 100% some black people are racist but not all.White people knew what they were doing was wrong they just decided to keep being racist because they saw others doing it. Yes i know not all white people were racist but majarity were.White people discriminated against colored people because of their skin color.Now their trying to flip the script and make it seem like all black people are discriminating against them.White people talk our hbcu's saying how they think there racist.I say that we would'nt have to have them if white people did'nt discriminate against colored people.If white people would have gave us what they had such as voting rights,better education,same priced homes,and good money paying jobs.We colored people did'nt have none of this but now that we do some white people want to make it seem like were the bad people.When all we colored people want is to be equal.
WRITTEN BY 12YEAR OLD VINASIA MAHAN.

ok just about all of you are bumbling idiots. just the mere fact that you segregate yourself is the root of racism. either your human or your racist. bottom line. you want to complain then look in the mirror and ask yourself what is your role in racism? i believe every human on this planet is racist cause they look at the next human as different. I shall role over in my grave as to my dream is now a nightmare.

I find it difficult to believe that Dr King would begin a missive by decrying the general audience as "bumbling idiots." Furthermore, I hesitate to believe that, after chastiking these idiots, he would post a letter filled with such an abundance of spelling and usage errors.

I am a racists who isn't ?
The ones that call other people racists and the ones that say they aren't really are. I need a new deck I think I just used all my race cards. I have to say to Mr Gillispie though . When your right your right . Some people dont like hearing the truth .

The article should actually address the facts. 1st Historically Black doesn't mean All Black--it means in the past before desegregation. I think that he was finding ways to insight more separatism instead of trying to find a solution. Where were you when organizations were started to help people of Color (all colors)?? Probably with the Hood on. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to earn his way but, not everyone else believes that which is the reason those organizations exist in the first place.

When did Black become the content of ones character rather than a color.
Welcome to the African States Of Mexico .

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